'Before Watchmen: Nite Owl' #3 review

In the latest of Digital Spy's comprehensive series of reviews of DC Comics' Before Watchmen prequels, we take a look at Nite Owl #3.

Who's it by?Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #3 is written by J Michael Straczynski, pencilled by Andy Kubert and inked by Joe Kubert and Bill Sienkiewicz. The Curse of the Crimson Corsair back-up is written and drawn by original series colourist John Higgins.

What happens?Nite Owl continues his investigation into the killing of several prostitutes, aided by the mysterious Twilight Lady.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to a bit more of the civilian life of Rorschach, and former Nite Owl Hollis Mason reveals that he has a dark secret to share with his successor, Dan Dreiberg.

What's the verdict?After a more promising second issue, Nite Owl unfortunately continues a trend that has left this series feeling an incidental and unnecessary addition to the Watchmen universe. The good notes it does hit are largely drowned out by a sense of pointlessness.

A major problem with this issue is the central role of the so-called 'Twilight Lady' and what she represents. Marking another terrible Before Watchmen opening, we are subjected to a deeply embarrassing barrage of innuendo on her part. The character may have some generically interesting things to say, but it is not clear that her musings have much to do with the sexuality of Dan Dreiberg's own character. The decision to use the theme of prostitution to explore sexuality remains as boring and insulting as ever.

The narrative itself is an incidental, paint-by-numbers story that moves in a rush at the end of the issue to tie in with Rorschach's side story. This would not be such a problem if the spare room was used to focus on Nite Owl's character, but he slips between scenes in this book, taking on the role of bumbling virgin and hard-assed hero as the plot requires. It is forgettable, and has so far failed to add to the Nite Owl mythos.

The comical sex scene is - remarkably - one of the highlights of the issue. Hollis Mason's revelation may also pique your interest, but unfortunately, the details of his secret are left to the last issue in a blatant attempt to draw readers back for the finale.

The art remains solid enough, with some inconsistencies attributable to Bill Sienkiewicz's last-minute inclusion following the sudden death of inker and comics legend Joe Kubert. But in places the inconsistencies are jarring, such as when the Twilight Lady makes a point of mentioning she must change her outfit, only to show up in the next scene in the same costume. Later, an entire manuscript tumbles out of what is clearly a thin envelope. It implies that, somewhere along the line, the creators and editors stopped paying attention.

Nite Owl #3 can be safely put in the pile of Before Watchmen issues that fail to justify this project. For all the controversy the prequels have courted, is a strong storyline or real character development too much to ask?